Publication Cover
The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section B
Comparative and Physiological Psychology
Volume 35, 1983 - Issue 2
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Original Articles

Septal driving of the hippocampal theta rhythm produces a long-term, proactive and non-associative increase in resistance to extinction

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Pages 97-118 | Received 01 Feb 1982, Published online: 29 May 2007
 

Abstract

Previous experiments employing electrical or pharmacological induction, or instrumental reinforcement, of hippocampal theta rhythm in rats have reported subsequent performance changes in a number of learning situations. In all these studies theta induction took place either concurrent with or following the behaviour under investigation. In the present two experiments, a treatment phase of electrically-induced hippocampal theta (by septal stimulation at 7·7 Hz) preceded acquisition of a discrete trial, barpress response on a fixed ratio 5 reinforcement schedule. In one of three treatment conditions animals received electrical stimulation (1) on its own, or (2) in a classical conditioning relationship with food delivery as unconditioned stimulus, or (3) temporally uncorrelated with food delivery; controls were implanted with electrodes but not stimulated. After 15 days' acquisition of barpressing, all animals were extinguished over the subsequent 12 days. Results indicated that theta-driving stimulation, independent of any association with food, resulted in increased resistance to extinction of barpressing. In addition, conditions (1) and (3) enhanced the speed of response during early acquisition. These findings cast doubt on a “memory consolidation” hypothesis of hippocampal theta function and demonstrate a non-associative, long-lasting, proactive effect of theta induction on behaviour.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lee Holt

Lee Holt was supported by a PGS grant from NSERC of Canada, and by a “Bourse de Maitrise” from the Province of Quebec. We are grateful to Dr F. G. Graeff for help and advice.

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